§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in what circumstances he considers it to be appropriate for inquiries to be made into the character of members of the public who have not been convicted of any offence;
(2) what Government agencies and Departments ask the police to make inquiries about members of the public; and for what purpose.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe circumstances in which it is appropriate for the police to make such inquiries, either for their own purposes or at the request of a Government Department or agency, are not susceptible of any general definition. We consider such inquiries to be justified where they are necessary for the prevention or investigation of crime, or where the expenditure of police time and any disclosure of private information involved are otherwise warranted in the public interest.